Putting on the national team’s shirt is unarguably the most riveting and glittering prospect for any professional footballer irrespective of whichever clubs he plies his trade at. With a buzzing atmosphere and cheerful crowd with passion and pride at its zenith, the aura which exists whilst playing for their respective country holds a special place in their career and Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong has neared to be engulfed by such a stellar outing.
The Bhoys are in an absolute rampaging mood so far in the Ladbrokes Premiership and have only formalities to cater to before kissing the silverware at the end of the season. A 25-point lead over second placed Aberdeen, Celtic could go on to win the league as an invincible side under the pinpoint tutelage of their gaffer Brendan Rodgers. Owing to his magnificent run of form, Stuart Armstrong has been given a call by Scotland national side’s head coach Gordon Strachan with his troops due to face Canada on Wednesday and Slovenia on Sunday.
Armstrong has been a revelation for the Hoops this term, bagging 11 goals in 23 appearances in the top tier of Scottish football, including a brilliant goal in his side 2-1 win over Dundee at the Dens Park last weekend. His shrewd techniques, industrious work-rate, raw pace and perfect movements make him a wanted commodity in the middle of the park under the tactical nous of Rodgers. The 24-year-old has been dynamic in his box-to-box runs, dictates the tempo of the game and provides a well-constructed platform for the attackers to pounce upon.
What has been particularly intriguing about Stuart Armstrong is the fact that he has chipped in with goals and assists which has made him the perfect midfield foil for Scott Brown. If there appears a need to vouch for the influence of the former Liverpool manager on Celtic’s players, the former Dundee United midfielder would fit the purpose meticulously. Prior to Armstrong’s resurrection, Celtic were in dire need of a midfielder who could be the brain behind their attacking endeavours and it’s outstanding to see how he has pounced upon the opportunity.
The Scot had got two calls from the national side in the past as well but wasn’t handed a cap, but with the testamentary rise he has seen in his stature of late, a start against Canada is seemingly likely. If Armstrong keeps such an upward trajectory of his development in the near future, it should benefit not only Celtic but the Scottish national side as well.
